A MAJOR player in the petrochemical, oil and gas, power and nuclear sector will set up its headquarters at Tees Valley Regeneration’s Middlehaven site.

The firm has signed a contract to take the remaining one-and-a-half floors of Hudson Quay, built by Terrace Hill. The office overlooks Middlehaven Dock and the site of the first of the Tees Valley Giants - Temenos.

The relocation secures the future of the firm in the region and is great news for Tees Valley Regeneration’s Business Development Team which has worked long and hard to secure a deal with the company – which has seen significant growth in the last few years.

Middlehaven will be the multi-national company’s UK HQ.

The rest of the building was let to the Crown Prosecution Service last year and the completion of this deal will pave the way for a second ‘sister’ building sometime in the future.

Middlehaven is one of Tees Valley Regeneration’s key regeneration projects and for the team there watching the site come alive – filling up with businesses and students at the new college - is a very fulfilling experience.

Joe Docherty, chief executive of Tees Valley Regeneration, said: “Ensuring that the Tees Valley is able to attract and retain companies like this is one of the cornerstones of our economic regeneration strategy.

“We provided business advice and supported the firm’s submission for a grant from One NorthEast.

“The decision to move to Middlehaven at such a difficult time in the global economy reflects the growing confidence in the Tees Valley.”

This announcement is another success for Tees Valley Regeneration’s Business Development Team who have attracted more than £500m of investment and secured thousands of jobs in the area since its creation.

Also at Middlehaven the £68m figurehead Middlesbrough College opened its doors last month and is already making an impact. The striking new building not only provides inspirational learning spaces but also cultural, sporting and academic facilities – all entirely accessible by members of the public.

Tees Valley Regeneration has always insisted that the desire is to create a community at Middlehaven and Middlesbrough College has been a catalyst for economic, residential and social development.

In addition to a world-class learning environment – which includes 70 classrooms with wireless IT facilities, 14 engineering and construction workshops and six professional kitchens, Middlesbrough College provides access to:

A six court sports hall, specialist gymnastics training facility and state of the art fitness studio;

A complementary therapy centre incorporating a spa suite (including Jacuzzi and solarium), a nail bar, two hairdressing and four beauty salons;

A 156 seat theatre, five recording studios, four dance studios and 11 music practice rooms;

A travel shop, bistro and silver service restaurant

A four storey library

Joe Docherty added: “Middlesbrough College is one of the Tees Valley’s largest single standing structures and is already a landmark for the area. The scale and stunning design of the building; the opportunities now available to the local community and clear evidence that Middlehaven is growing and evolving is everything that Tees Valley Regeneration continues to work towards.”

The public realm works at Middlehaven continue as high quality and sustainable designs around Bridge Street East, Dock Street and the Clock Tower Square begin to take shape. Lighting and street furniture will compliment distinctive pavement patterns and imaginative greenery maximises the landscape and enhances the riverside views.

Middlesbrough’s mighty industrial past is also captured in a powerful poem entitled Ironopolis which will be immortalised into a nine metre wide iron sculpture that will encircle the base of a tree.

Poet, Ian Horn who was born in the North-east, said: “When I saw the extent of the public realm work being undertaken, I felt inspired to write about the town’s historic strength. I am very pleased that Ironopolis will form part of what will be an exciting new district of Middlesbrough.”

Joe Docherty added: “Tees Valley Regeneration is working on truly transformative schemes and we have said from the start that Middlehaven would clearly demonstrate that. We are very proud to stand here and deliver new investment, new opportunities and a new outlook for the people of Middlesbrough and the wider Tees Valley.”